| Famous
Mosques in Tripoli :
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History
The so-called
"Perfumers mosque", the al-Attar, was built in the middle of the fourteenth
century in the bustling souk area. Here medieval pharmacists prepared astringents and
medical concoctions from extracts of herbs and flowers. The mosque has an elaborate portal
with an intricate marble mosaic design of entwined arrows and thunderbolts. A one
line inscription states that the doorway and ,minbar (pulpit) are the work of
Mohammad, son of Ibrahirn, the architect and was completed in the year 1350 (A.H.751).
Al-Attar’s minaret is one of
the finest specimens found in Manluk Tripoli. It is a plain square tower with a plain
molding. Arrow slits and rosette apertures light the snail-like staircase within. A
protruding cornice decorated with stalactites is supported at the four corners by Crusader
colonnettes with Arab stalactite capitals. The balcony rests on the dornice and has a set
of double arch windows, each with its central colonnette and carved stone screens on all
four sides .Outside the west portal in back of the mosque is a picturesque vaulted
alley dating from Crusader times.
A decree was inscribed on the main
portal of the mosque in the year 1418 (A.H.821) by order of Mamluk Sultan al-Muayyad
Shaikh abolishing taxes imposed unfairly on the perfumers of Tripoli who were established
on property belonging to the mosque. The decree furthermore forbids sale by
auction and other malpractices which took place in this particular souk which were to the
disadvantage of the perfumers.
Historical References |
Photo Gallery
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Photos By |
| Eng. Lamia
KHAYAT |
All Righrs Reserved |
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